sssh! (Photo credit: Stephen Dagnall)
The latest in my occasional series of The A To Z Of The Laughing Housewife finds me at my real name.
When I started this blog, I thought anonymity was a good idea (yes, the writing was that bad).
I then told you every time I had a poem published, with a link if the poem was online; or a photograph of the page in the anthology with my full name in bold (I never use my middle name, of course – Vanity).
As I always use my real name when I’m published (and in my Twitter feed), I suspect the anonymity thing isn’t really working for me.
I might as well just come out and say it:
My name is Tilly, and I am a Linda.
Why do you use a pseudonym; and is it a waste of time?
I think you definitely look like a Tilly.
I get that a lot.
I do and it’s not.
All parts of my name (even my middle name) are unusual and distinctive so I could be quickly identified. Ergo I’m Kiwidutch on-line everywhere and I love my anonymity.
You won’t be on any reality TV shows, I take it?
If I send you an e mail you are Linda …if I reply on WordPress it is TillyB..but I wonder why.?
i think I might get rid of Misswhiplash and just use Patrecia
That’s nice
I use gigi-hawaii because it is catchy. However, my real name is revealed in “About” (my bio) because I am trying to market my books.
I know your real name but I always think of you as Gigi. It’s pretty.
I’m just Jamie x
Jamie X, as in ‘Malcolm’?
I like both. Tilly Linda or Linda Tilly. They are both you and I like it that way.
Thank you, Laurie
I have the greatest difficulty in thinking of you as Linda, even though that is how I first knew you way back when. Tilly suits you! I never liked your fbf identity, though: Mummy Darling was just too twee!
Spud will have something to say about that – he named me
Linda, I like you .. as what ever you are …. my name is Viveka, but goes under Wivi,- Thea Maria .. or Wiga.
Unusual!
Yes, Name after my aunt Thea and Maria my grandma and Viveka after the famous Swedish actress Viveka Lindfors, very big in USA
I’ve heard of her
Tilly, Tilly Bud is a genius pen-name.
Thank you, Wee Scoops. The Hub has to take the credit for that one ;(
I use a pseudonym because a) it was the one condition under which my father would allow me to have a blog and b) I just don’t like people to know who I am. I don’t trust the internet, really. Plus, not letting on to my true identity makes me feel like a superhero with a blog, even if my only superpower is alliterating and coming up with cool similes.
As far as I know, it’s not a waste of time–I have yet to let the true identity of the Rambler slip anywhere online.
It is good to be anonymous for safety; there are a lot of weird people out there.
I used my middle name the very first day I started this blog. It didn’t last – someone made a comment and kept calling me “Ellen” and it just seemed wrong. So I use my own name and leave everyone else I mention anonymous. I like all your names for your family – and Tilly is a good name for the laughing housewife
I now find it a little weird to be called by my real name
Isn’t that peculiar?
My name is a mouthful for many so I use my nickname…thankfully it’s sounds exactly like the short version of my first name.
A simple solution!
You will never be Linda to me.
Thank you. I appreciate that
Very interesting question, Linda!
I just tried to think of you as Linda but it didn’t work. For me you are Tilly!
Me neither!
Thanks for reverting 
I opted not to use a pseudonym, just seemed like it would be easier to be who I am
An excellent life philosophy, as well!
I use my real name to force people to learn how to spell it. There is a copyright lawyer — who has on occasion beat up on Christian publishers — whose name is Katherine Trager. Since I did not think it very professional to use a pseudonym, I decided to force the issue.
Besides, she spells hers wrong, and this is my revenge. Katherine (with an e in the middle) is not true to the original Greek; neither is any form of the name beginning with a c.
My name. My rant.
But long, long ago, when I did feel shy and did use a fake name, everyone knew it was me by the writing style. That still baffles me.
Why? Every writer has their own voice
I guess I was young and amazed and should have overcome that initial amazement long ago.
Tilly Bud suits you, it’s a great name.
A lot of my family and friends know who I am now, but I still like the name Tinman, I think he can get away with more than I can. And the kids like it.
It’s true – a fake identity gives you so much freedom. We should be in DC Comics.
Hmm…I suspect the government knows who and where you are…no matter what name you use.
You managed to make me laugh and terrify me at the same time!
Isn’t it fun that we can be anyone we want to be…and even have multiple personalities. You are a delight! I’m glad you came clean.
Debra
The thing about pseudonyms/aliases – you get to know someone as one name – and then you discover their real name which to you then seems quite foreign. I always think of you as Tilly and I agree with Tinman that it suits you. Long live Tilly!!
And thank you, Scarlett Ruby
Thank you, Debra
“Why do you use a pseudonym; and is it a waste of time?”
Howdy Linda!, but you will always be Tilly
This is an excellent question! And one on which I’ve pondered long and hard since creating my blog over 2yrs ago.
I used to be known as PiP, then gradually I used my first name. But then I’m not a writer so it does not matter.
I still don’t publish photos of myself as the internet is a weird place. Once one of my blogging buddies not only posted a photo of herself, but also her home and location! Mad crazy or what?
It is – but so easy to do. I’ve done the same thing
I use my pseudonym to keep my whereabouts secret from my stalker (for real). My stalker is a former friend & I have moved 5 times & re-married since I last saw her. I would be very afraid if she knew where I am.
That is frightening. Stay safe.
It’s like when Jock goes into a new French shop, wearing totally French clothes etc, and before he can open his mouth, they speak to him in English.
I wish I had an identifiable writing style – mine is just a mishmash.
This was attached to Katharine Trauger’s comment, but went walkabout!
Could be because I’m catching up with comments.
Your poetry has a definite style. Self-deprecating, often angry, questioning, full of wonder.
That is a truly legit reason for a pseudonym. But I’m so daft, I couldn’t keep it up!
I give up! We’re in simultaneous mixup!
A meli-melo of comments!
The good thing about my name is that there are literally millions of us out there – so I’m still anonymous. I have trouble with pseudonyms – because I have trouble remembering names full stop. I wouldn’t be able to blog at all if I didn’t use real names (I already live in a confused state) ;.).
We each have our reasons
Yes and no
I don’t use a pseudonym at all.. maybe I should have when I started blogging but it’s too late now.
Well you know my real name is Marie, that I am not yet a grandmother and the handle Grannymar has been part of me since my mid twenties. Bloggers often ask when we meet what my real name is, then they tell me they think of me as GM and go with it. Elly has been known to call out ‘Grannymar’ in a supermarket or if we get separated when shopping.
Sweet